I am a freelance content developer and reading/listening serves as a precursor to idea generation. I am not associated with any organization and don’t have a team so this habit becomes my window to the world and its developments. What is noticeable is that reading builds your confidence and earns you respect. You will always have this one person in your life whom you consider as knowledgeable because he/she is well read.
An immersive reading/listening experience has the power to transform the reader, depending on the type of content consumed.
Reading/listening to self- help books, a reader transcends from the stage of acquiring knowledge to applying it. The knowledge gets stored in the subconscious which you can recollect to handle specific situations. In the famous book – ‘The Monk who Sold is Ferrari,’ Robin Sharma says that mind should be nurtured like a garden. Often when I find my mind clouded with judgements, his words resonate with me and I start clearing the clutter.
When you read an editorial in a newspaper, you get rich information on an issue with multiple perspectives. It helps you take an informed stand on the topic. For instance, after continuous reading on the topic – ‘Sustainable Economic Development’, I concluded that dedicated investment in building a sustainable production cycle by the corporates across sectors is the only way to a green economy.
Fiction reading/listening, carries you to a different world. You become a part of the book and you sense every emotion that each character feels. You get attached to certain characters while you detest some, just like you do in your day-to-day life. I am currently reading ‘Little Women’ by Louisa May Alcott, and every chapter reminds me of the beauty of a simple life where you work hard and expect less.
Spiritual reading/listening enlightens you and pushes you to see the bigger picture. You develop the ability to keep your calm in adverse situations. I am a regular listener of a podcast on Spotify– ‘Gita for the Young and Restless’, by Jaya Rao. This podcast decodes the intricate Bhagavad Gita lessons. A recent episode on overthinking, made me take a pause to do away with the matters on which I was overthinking unknowingly.
Blogs and social media posts are instrumental in bridging divides. It is easy information available to one and all irrespective of their social or financial status. It also reduces the generation gap when two people of different ages, vibe with the same trend. I remember, my mother was amazed when she heard my daughter who is 12 years sing one of her favorite retro tracks ‘Mere Sapnon ki Rani’, from the 1969 film Aradhna, which the younger one had heard online in a reel.
Requesting you all to identify, what are you gaining from your habits.
Please engage and contribute because Reading/Listening is a promising gateway to a newer better world.